'Meg's Legacy of Hope' launches to fund mental health services
Meg's Legacy of Hope, a new 501(c)(3) organization, launched in October to provide funding to not-for-profits addressing and strengthening the mental health of young adults in underserved communities throughout Chicago and the collar counties.
An all-volunteer organization, Meg's Legacy was formed in June 2023 with a mission to strengthen the lives of at-risk teens and young adults without resources so they may navigate the path to adulthood via mental health programming and support.
The group currently seeks not-for-profits that provide counseling and other programs to impact the mental health of young adults 18 and older, including those in the suicide awareness and prevention realm. Larry and Mary Jo Butz founded Meg's Legacy in memory of their oldest daughter, Meg, who died suddenly at age 26.
"Everyone deserves resources to ensure the quality of their mental health, just like we exercise, eat right, or have checkups for our physical health, we need care for our mental health," co-founder Mary Jo Butz said.
"Research from the pandemic showed that this group was struggling, and the isolation and stress of the pandemic only added to their struggle."
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, 4.8 million people in Illinois live in a community that does not have enough mental health professionals, making treatment difficult, if not unattainable. NAMI's 2021 survey of U.S. adolescents ages 15-17 years old reported that 3 million teens had serious thoughts of suicide.
Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found there was a 31% increase in emergency room visits related to mental health issues in 2021 over 2019.
"Access to mental health treatment can be attributed to lack of providers, financial resources, transportation or any number of other factors," said Bob Noonan, Meg's Legacy chairman.
"We've had a strong launch and look forward to working with the local mental health professionals who can further address these problems and provide treatment and resources to young adults."
To kick off its inaugural funding cycle, Meg's Legacy made its first $25,000 grant to Partners in Our Communities' Skyward Bound Program. Meg's Legacy has earmarked an additional $100,000 to fund grants for not-for-profits providing mental health resources to young adults.
Information on the application process is available on the organization's website, megslegacyofhope.org. Submissions are accepted until Dec. 1, and grants will be awarded in early 2024.
"Organizations prioritizing mental health support for young adults ages 18-plus are the focus of Meg's Legacy grants," said co-founder Larry Butz. "Our preferred causes include support around mental health and suicide awareness, coaching and life skills, and we encourage those programs like these to apply."
For more information about Meg's Legacy of Hope, visit megslegacyofhope.org. Find them on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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